Eastern Equatoria parliament adjourns session
By Isaac Vuni
Jan 10, 2006 (KAPOETA) — The Eastern Equatoria State parliament, due to lack of quorum, has postponed its activities. Most of the MPs are from rural constituencies and remote areas and they face difficulties to reach the capital of the region.
The speaker of Interim State Legislative Assembly of Eastern Equatoria State, Adelino Michael Opi has this morning adjourned for the second time, the sitting of the third Session of the Assembly, citing lack of quorum.
In his adjournment statement, Opi say, “Due to lack of quorum the assembly will adjourn till Monday, 15th January 2007 at 10 am”.
He further said most MPs have gone to their various constituencies but are now facing transport difficulties as some of their areas are yet to be liked with Torit/Kapoeta, the capital of the state.
“Some constituencies could not be access by car because feeder roads in their respective constituencies are yet to repair after being devastated by 21 years civil war that ends on 9th January 2005.” Explained the speaker.
In today’s opening, there were only nineteen (19) MPs present with two on sick leaves, disclosed the clerk of the Assembly.
The assembly was scheduled to have resumed on January 8, 2007 but there were only twelve MPs present on the firs day of re-opening, hence, adjournment was necessitated due to lack of quorum.
EES interim Assembly has 48 sitting members of parliament and for it to constitute a two a quorum, there must be at least 36 members present in the assembly hall.
Meanwhile the Clerk of the Assembly, Adedoomia Nyolethia Franco revealed that there are seven vacant positions of MPs that ought to be filling during the third session. The vacancies, he said, were created by the dead of four MPs, replacement of the National Congress Party MP whose immunity has been lifted because he is under police investigation and the appointment of two MPs to position of Commissioners in Budi and Ikwotos counties respectively.
He gave the particulars of the deceased legislators as being; Dr. Peter Tibi Opi, representative of South Sudan Democratic Forum in Magwi County, died on 1st March 2006, Nicola Oboya Lazaro, representative of United Democratic Front in Magwi County, died on 4th April 2006, Prof. Pharaone Ottome, representative of South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF) in Torit Couny, died on 17th May 2006 and Mrs. Agnes Moyigo Simon, representative of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Kapoeta South County died on 25th May 2006.
(ST)